African-American Children's Active Reasoning about Media Texts as a Precursor to Media Literacy in the United States

A study of 156 children ages 9–11 was conducted to examine potential differences in media use between high-achieving, gifted African-American children enrolled in a special program and those enrolled in a regular education program in a large urban city in the United States. Both high-achievers and regular students report living in highly saturated media home environments with little parental involvement in their heavy media use. This study uses a new measure of active reasoning about favorite media drawing on theoretical concepts of the active audience and constructivist learning theory. When asked to explain why they enjoy their favorite TV shows, songs and videogames, regular students are more likely to give a simple emotional reaction; by contrast, high-achieving students are more likely to offer a detailed, reasoned answer. More active reasoning about television and more complex attitudes toward restrictive parental mediation are associated with high academic achievement among African-American children. The educational potential of active reasoning about media favorites is discussed as a precursor to media literacy.     

Is Immigrant Status Relevant in School Violence Research? An Analysis With Latino Students

Background: The role of race and ethnicity is consistently found to be linked to the likelihood of students experiencing school violence–related outcomes; however, the findings are not always consistent. The variation of likelihood, as well as the type, of student‐related school violence outcome among the Latino student population may be attributed to immigrant status. Methods: Drawing from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, this research investigates if the role of immigrant status and English proficiency are pertinent for 1457 nationally representative public school Latino students’ experiences with school violence–related outcomes. Results: Third‐generation immigrant students were more likely than first‐ and second‐generation students to be victimized while at school, as well as receive a formal disciplinary school sanction. On the other hand, first‐generation immigrant children were less likely to be a victim of crime while at school and receive a formal disciplinary sanction in comparison to second‐ and third‐generation immigrants. However, first‐generation immigrant students were the most likely to feel unsafe at school. Additionally, nonnative English‐speaking students were more likely to report being a victim of school violence in comparison to native English speakers. Conclusions: This study indicates that immigrant status–related variables should be included in school violence research. Furthering the investigation of school and local community characteristics of immigration and assimilation and their impact upon children’s lives and their exposure to violence is essential for a growing immigrant population.     

A media literacy curriculum on violence in the united states: studying young people's written responses for evidence of learning

This paper uses the technique of constant comparison to determine emerging themes in the guided journal entries of a group of sixth-grade students taking part in a media literacy curriculum on the topic of violence. In addition to the sixth graders' journals, data stem from the “action letters” they wrote to media producers and policy makers as a culminating experience in the curriculum, either praising or protesting particular media practices or depictions. The emergent themes show evidence of the multiple levels of learning identified in Bloom's Taxonomy, and suggest critical thinking had been inspired in some of the students.     

Effects of a Media Literacy Program in the US on Children's Critical Evaluation of Unhealthy Media Messages about Violence,Smoking, and Food

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Media Power Youth health-focused media literacy program. Using a susceptibility reduction strategy, this program seeks to develop participants' media-literacy beliefs and skills to enhance their ability to critically evaluate portrayals of violence, substance use, and non-nutritional eating. It was implemented in fifth-grade classes at two elementary schools in the Northeastern United States. A third school served as a nontreatment control group. Evaluation results indicated significant increases in students' understanding that (1) media violence is often glorified, unrealistic, and can make children act more violently, and (2) advertising can make smoking and fast foods look healthy and can affect children's desires and behaviors. Students' ability to apply media-literacy skills to new media portrayals was also enhanced. Findings are discussed in terms of the Habits of Thought and the Health Beliefs Models, and benefits of integrating such programs into existing courses of study are described.     

Impact of Prosocial Behavioral Involvement on School Violence Perpetration Among African American Middle School and High School Students

The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with school violence perpetration among African American youth. African American students in 7th through 12th grade (n?=?7488) in schools within one Metropolitan area completed the Pride National Drug Survey. Chi square analyses revealed school violence perpetration significantly differed based on grade and prosocial behavioral involvement. Students in 7th–8th grade (54.7%) were more likely to engage in school violence in comparison to 9th–12th grade students (48.8%). Students with low prosocial behavior (52.8%) involvement were more likely than their counterparts (48.9%) to engage in school violence perpetration. Logistic regression also indicated females and 9th–12th students with low prosocial behavior involvement were significantly less likely than their counterparts to engage in school violence. Findings should be considered by health educators and prevention specialists when developing programs and efforts to prevent in school violence perpetration among African American students.     

Mean Girls and Tough Boys: Children's Meaning Making and Media Literacy Lessons on Gender and Bullying in the United States

This study examines children's thinking about media content and processes in the context of portrayals of gender and bullying. As part of a critical thinking-centered media literacy curriculum, sixty-five sixth graders in the United States responded to questions about depictions of gender roles and bullying in their favorite media content or in content they would create as media producers. A grounded theory analysis of responses revealed students' various levels of thinking, ranging from direct application of lesson concepts to evaluation and critique of media content. The analysis also suggested the conditions under which students demonstrated more or less advanced meaning-making processes. These findings highlight the dynamic and context-dependent nature of media literacy, as well as the unique and varying levels of thinking children enact as media users. The success of the curriculum in encouraging children's independent thinking supports the value of bridging the empowerment and protectionist perspectives on media literacy education.     

Smoking media literacy in Vietnamese adolescents

BACKGROUND: Smoking media literacy (SML) has been found to be independently associated with reduced current smoking and reduced susceptibility to future smoking in a sample of American adolescents, but not in other populations of adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess SML in Vietnamese adolescents and to determine the association with smoking behavior and susceptibility to future smoking. METHODS: A cross‐sectional survey of 2000 high school students completed the SML scale, which is based on an integrated theoretical framework of media literacy, and items assessing cigarette use. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the association of SML with smoking and susceptibility to future smoking. Ordinal logistic regression was also to determine whether smoking in the past 30 days was associated with the 8 domains/core concepts of media literacy which comprise the SML. RESULTS: Smoking media literacy was lower among the Vietnamese adolescents than what has been previously reported in American adolescents. Ordinal logistic regression analysis results showed that in the total sample SML was associated with reduced smoking, but there was no association with susceptibility to future smoking. Further analysis showed that results differed according to school and grade level. There did not appear to be association of smoking with the specific domains/concepts that comprise the SML. CONCLUSIONS: The association of SML with reduced smoking suggests the need for further research involving SML, including the testing of media literacy training interventions, in Vietnamese adolescents and also other populations of adolescents.     

Association Between Domestic Violence and Miscarriage: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study Among Women of Childbearing Ages,Sivas, Turkey

Violence against women is a global issue, with ramifications for the reproductive health of women. The current study examined the relation of domestic violence (DV) to miscarriage among women who were victimized during their last pregnancy. The study was conducted in Sivas city center, in Turkey. Associations between self-reported DV and miscarriage were analyzed using multiple regression modeling. Physical and/or sexual DV during the last pregnancy was reported by 10.0% and 6.2% of women, respectively. Women who experienced physical violence were 2.5 times as likely (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–4.84, p = .003) to have experienced a miscarriage than women who did not report physical violence. These findings suggest that victims who experience physical violence during the last pregnancy may be more likely to experience miscarriage. Preventing DV, especially physical violence, may, therefore, be beneficial for avoiding adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Using Media Literacy Education for Adolescent Sexual Health Promotion in Middle School: Randomized Control Trial of Media Aware

This study examined the short-term efficacy of Media Aware, a classroom-based media literacy education (MLE) program for improving adolescents’ sexual health outcomes. In a randomized control trial, schools were randomly assigned to the intervention (N = 5 schools) or health promotion control (N = 4 schools) group. Students completed questionnaires at pretest (N = 880 students) and immediate posttest (N = 926 students). The Media Aware program had a significant favorable impact on adolescent outcomes related to sexual health, including increased self-efficacy and intentions to use contraception, if they were to engage in sexual activity; enhanced positive attitudes, self-efficacy, and intentions to communicate about sexual health; decreased acceptance of dating violence and strict gender roles; and increased sexual health knowledge. Program effects were also found for media-related outcomes, including enhanced media deconstruction skills and increased media skepticism. Media deconstruction skills mediated the program’s impact on students’ intentions to communicate with a medical professional about sexual health issues. This study provides support for the use of MLE with adolescents to promote sexual health.     

Victim Help Seeking: Differences Between Intimate Terrorism and Situational Couple Violence

Abstract: Research indicates that two major forms of partner violence exist, intimate terrorism (IT) and situational couple violence (SCV). The current study (N= 389) used a subgroup of women who responded to the Chicago Women’s Health Risk Study to examine whether type of violence experienced is differentially related to formal (e.g., police, medical agencies, counseling) and informal (e.g., family, friends/neighbors) help seeking. IT victims were more likely to seek each type of formal help but were equally or less likely to seek informal help. Findings can inform both family violence research and the development and implementation of social service programs.     

Violence Prevention: An Evaluation of Program Effects with Urban African American Students

While many violence prevention programs have been developed to combat the problems of violence and aggression among youth, few programs have been evaluated. This study examines the impact of a violence prevention program among African American students in two inner-city schools in Chicago. Students in 5th through 8th grade participated in Second Step: A Violence Prevention Program, and completed surveys at pretest and posttest. Aggressive behavior and prosocial behavior were assessed through self-report, peer-report, and teacher-report. In addition, knowledge and skills related to violence, empathy, impulsivity, and sense of school membership were assessed. The findings revealed significant increases in self-reported knowledge and skills, self-reported empathy, and teacher-reported prosocial behavior. Increases in empathy significantly predicted less aggressive behavior. School setting influenced several outcomes, including sense of school membership. Implications for primary prevention and evaluation are discussed with a focus on the importance of context.     

Rural general practitioner apprehension about work related violence in australia

Aims: To identify levels of Australian rural general practitioners’ apprehension about violence, factors effecting apprehension and the effect of apprehension on service provision. Method: Six focus groups were held with rural GPs from Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. A questionnaire was developed on the basis of the focus group data and all GPs in these three areas were surveyed. Results: The results indicated GPs were more apprehensive about providing after hours care than during business hours. Significant gender differences were found with women being more often apprehensive than men and more likely to withdraw after hours services. Conclusion: This study shows that that levels of apprehension about violence affect GPs’ willingness to provide after hours services. Future provision of general practice after hours services and home visits in rural areas requires the availability of a safe working environment to reduce GPs’ apprehension about workplace violence. What Is Already Known: Overseas research has shown that many GPs are apprehensive about workplace violence and that female GPs are more likely to be apprehensive about it than male GPs. No Australian studies about GPs’ levels of apprehension about workplace violence have previously been undertaken. What this study adds: This study showed that many Australian rural GP respondents feel apprehensive about work‐related violence especially after hours and when undertaking home visits after hours. Female respondents were significantly more likely to feel apprehensive about workplace violence than male respondents and to make changes to services because of the risk of violence than male GPs, most commonly by not providing services such as home visits or after hours surgery attendances.     

Empowering students to respond to alcohol advertisements: results from a pilot study of an Australian media literacy intervention

Objective : Alcohol media literacy programs in the United States have increased students' media literacy skills and lowered pre‐drinking behaviour. In Australia, no such programs have yet been implemented or evaluated. This pilot study aimed to examine the feasibility and potential impact of an alcohol media literacy program for Australian upper‐primary school children. Methods : Thirty‐seven Year 5 and 6 students (aged 10–12) from one school in the Sydney region participated in 10 one‐hour media lessons. Teacher interviews, student exit slips, teacher observations and a researcher reflective journal were analysed to examine the implementation process, while a pre‐ and post‐questionnaire was analysed to measure outcome. Results : Key factors in implementation were the importance of school context; attainment of English and PDHPE learning outcomes to differing extents; program's useability provided flexibility; perceived complexity and achievability of the lessons and program's engagement and relevance for the students. The program significantly increased media literacy skills and understanding of persuasive intent; decreased interest in alcohol branded merchandise; and lowered perception of drinking norms. Conclusion and implications : An Australian alcohol media literacy program for upper‐primary school children appears feasible, and has potential to lead to measurable outcomes.     

A Cross-sectional Study to Find out the Prevalence of Different Types of Domestic Violence in Gwalior City and to Identify the Various Risk and Protective Factors for Domestic Violence

Background:

Violence against women is a universal phenomenon that persists in all communities and in all countries of the world and the perpetrator of that violence is often well-known to the victim. Domestic violence in particular continues to be frighteningly common and well-accepted as “normal” within too many societies.

Objectives:

(1) The primary aim of this study is to find out the extent of different type of domestic violence and to identify various risk factors for domestic violence against married women. (2) The secondary aim is to identify the various protective factors of domestic violence against married women.

Materials and Methods:

The present study was a population based cross-sectional study carried out in the urban area of Gwalior city for a period of one year. Stratified random sampling technique was used for the selection of the samples. The study participants were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Proportion, Pearson''s, chi-square test and odds ratio were calculated for the analysis of the study.

Result:

Of the 144 study participants, 68 participants reported some form of domestic violence, which was either physical, sexual or emotional. The most common type of violence reported was physical violence. The most important risk factor for domestic violence was alcoholism followed by literacy status. Majority of the abused women were dependent on their husbands for money, material assets and expenditure.

Conclusion:

The study hereby recommends that to prevent domestic violence government has to take stringent action for making women more self-reliant especially by making the women more literate and more financially independent.     

Effects of a Peer-Led Media Literacy Curriculum on Adolescents' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Sexual Behavior and Media Portrayals of Sex

The United States has the highest rates of teenage pregnancy and birth in the Western industrialized world, and research indicates that television and other mass media are important sources of sexual information for young people. The purpose of this study was to determine if a teen-led, media literacy curriculum focused on sexual portrayals in the media would increase adolescents' awareness of media myths concerning sex, decrease the allure of sexualized portrayals, and decrease positive expectancies for sexual activity. A posttest-only quasi-experiment with control groups was conducted at 22 school and community sites in Washington state (N = 532). The intervention, a 5-lesson media literacy curriculum targeted primarily to middle school students, encouraged sexual abstinence because of federal government funding requirements. Adolescents evaluated the program positively, with 85% rating it as better than other sex education programs. Compared to control-group participants, students were less likely to overestimate sexual activity among teens, more likely to think they could delay sexual activity, less likely to expect social benefits from sexual activity, more aware of myths about sex, and less likely to consider sexual media imagery desirable. The results showed that media literacy has promise as part of a sex education program by providing adolescents with a cognitive framework necessary to understand and resist the influence of media on their decision making concerning sex.     

Effect of the incident at Columbine on students' violence- and suicide-related behaviors

BACKGROUND: This study examined the impact that the violent incident at Columbine High School may have had on reports of behaviors related to violence and suicide among U.S. high school students. METHODS: Nationally representative data from the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Students who completed the 1999 YRBS after the Columbine incident were more likely to report feeling too unsafe to go to school and less likely to report considering or planning suicide than were students who completed the 1999 YRBS before the incident. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight how an extreme incident of school violence can affect students nationwide.     

Work-related violence, lifestyle, and health among special education teachers working in Finnish basic education

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported higher levels of absenteeism due to illness among special education teachers compared to other teachers, but it is not known which factors might contribute to this difference. We examined whether health, health behaviors, and exposure to violence at work differed between special education and general education teachers in Finnish basic education. METHODS: Survey data from 5760 general and special education teachers were analyzed with multilevel logistic models adjusted for individual‐ and school‐level confounding factors. RESULTS: No difference was found between the health behaviors of general and special education teachers. The differences in physical and mental health between the two groups were also relatively small. With regard to work‐related violence, however, male special education teachers were 3 times more likely to be exposed to mental abuse, and 5 times more likely to be exposed to physical violence when compared to their male colleagues in general education. Although female special educators were also at an increased risk of mental abuse and physical violence compared to their female general teacher colleagues, their odds ratios for such an encounter were smaller (2‐ and 3‐fold, respectively) than those of male special education teachers. The school‐level variance of physical violence toward teachers was large, which indicates that while most schools have little physical violence toward teachers, schools do exist in which teachers' exposure to violence is common. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that special education teachers may benefit from training for handling violent situations and interventions to prevent violence at schools.     

IT usage, perceptions and literacy of medical students

A cross-sectional study of medical students using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia from December 2000 to January 2001 to determine IT usage, perceptions and literacy of medical students. 366 of 653 (56.0%) students reported owning some type of personal computer. Students mainly used the computer to get onto the Internet, do word-processing and make presentations. Junior (Year One and Two) students and those who had used computers before entering university were more likely to use the Internet. Those who own computers were more likely to feel comfortable with software (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.38). Students who use the Internet were more likely to perceive that IT facilitated their studies (OR 4.61, 95% CI: 2.35, 9.05). The highest self-reported IT skill was e-mailing followed by surfing the World Wide Web and word-processing. Male students and junior students had significantly higher self-reported IT literacy scores compared to female students and senior students. Significant predictors for an IT identifier score after adjusting for other variables were self-reported rating of computer knowledge, number of siblings, parents' income and gender.